Ephesians 1:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

NIV: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

NASB: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

CSB: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

NLT: May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

KJV: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

NKJV: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This verse concludes the introduction and consists of a brief greeting to Paul's readers. This "Grace to you" greeting is found in the opening of all of Paul's letters except for the Pastoral Epistles. The phrase "peace from God our Father" is also familiar, found in the introductions of nine of Paul's letters. Peace is mentioned more than ninety times in the New Testament, yet only twelve times as "peace from God." Paul focused his greeting on peace being from the Lord, a word he would mention seven other times in this brief letter (Ephesians 2:14, 15, 17; 4:3; 6:15, 23).

The title "Lord Jesus Christ" is not found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, or Luke, nor in John's writings. However, it is commonly used in Acts, Paul's writings, and is mentioned in James, 1 and 2 Peter, and Jude. Reasons for this pattern are uncertain, especially since early manuscripts often write the name of Jesus as a symbol rather than in letter format. However, it is clear Paul desired to note both God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ together and as equals in his opening greeting to his friends.

Ephesians 1:1–2 introduces Paul's letter to the believers of the church at Ephesus. This includes Paul's claim to the title of ''apostle.'' The greeting features many of Paul's common expressions, including ''Christ Jesus,'' and ''grace to you.'' While the letter is clearly directed to the Ephesian Christians, it seems that Paul intended it to be read among the other churches in the area.

The first chapter of Ephesians contains two main passages. The first describes the blessings Christians have been given as a result of our salvation through Christ. Paul explains these through praises directed to God the Father. The second section both commends the Ephesians for their reputation, and prays that Christ would bring them into an even fuller and more aware faith.

The first three chapters of Ephesians are doctrinal, while the last three are practical. Chapter 1 establishes Paul's view on the value of our salvation in Christ, and the blessings we obtain from it. He does this in the form of praise, directed at God, and describing in detail what it means to have an inheritance in heaven. Later chapters will build on these ideas as Paul connects who we are in Christ to how we should live as Christians.

Ephesians follows a theme common in Paul's writings: connecting theory with practice. In this book, however, he goes into greater depth before making the transition. As a letter meant to be read by more than just the believers at Ephesus, this is an important look at how Christian belief should translate into Christian action. The first three chapters lay out spiritual ideas, the last three chapters show how these truths should be applied in the life of a mature believer. Paul focuses heavily on love, the unity of the Christian church, and the incredible value of our salvation through Christ.